Stoneham resident receives IIDA Leadership Award

Wednesday

May 17, 2017 at 3:01 AM

Margulies Perruzzi Architects, a Boston-based architectural and interior design firm, announced that Interior Design Director and Associate Partner Dianne Dunnell, of Stoneham, has received the 2017 Leadership Award from the International Interior Design Association, New England Chapter. The IIDA New England Leadership Award recognizes an individual’s dedication to IIDA, contributions to the local interior design community and impact on Boston’s design industry. Dunnell received the award at IIDA New England’s annual Business Leaders Breakfast on May 4.

Dunnell has been an interior designer in the Boston community for more than 20 years and with MPA since 1999. As MPA’s director of interior design, she works on a variety of projects in the corporate and professional services markets, including projects for Philips North America and Dassault Systèmes as well as several large financial and consulting firms in Boston. In addition to her client work, Dunnell volunteers for organizations, supporting fellow designers and members of the IIDA community, and advancing the interior design profession within Massachusetts.

Dunnell‘s involvement with IIDA New England spans 17 years, and her roles for the organization include Boston City Center Director, vice president of communications, and six years on the IIDA New England Chapter Board of Directors. She also recently served as president of the Massachusetts Interior Design Coalition, and previously held the roles of grassroots director and vice president of communication for the organization. Her involvement with the MIDC helped to engage the local design community in a grassroots effort that resulted in changing interior design legislation within the state.

“Over many years, Dianne has worked tirelessly to promote the interior design profession through the IIDA, MIDC and Boston’s design community at large, making her a natural choice for the 2017 IIDA Leadership Award,” said Claudia DiCesare, sales representative at Momentum Group and an IIDA New England Business Leaders Breakfast committee member. “Whether she is organizing an event, mentoring young designers or engaging in advocacy, Dianne has made a tangible, lasting and positive impact on IIDA New England. We are proud to recognize her long-standing commitment and leadership in the Boston design community.”

Dunnell has also participated in a variety of volunteer activities in support of design education, including judging interior design competitions and being a guest critic at the New England School of Art and Design, Boston Architectural College, Mount Ida College’s School of Design and her alma mater Endicott College. She has mentored interior design students at Interior Design Career Day and IIDA New England Portfolio Day, and volunteered with various philanthropic organizations including Habitat for Humanity.

“We are incredibly proud of Dianne’s achievements and leadership contributions to IIDA New England and the Boston interior design community,” said Marc Margulies, FAIA, LEED AP, senior partner and principal at Margulies Perruzzi Architects. “Dianne is a leader in MPA as well by mentoring her design teams, delivering client-focused service and raising the bar on design excellence with award-winning projects. We know of no one worthier of this honor than Dianne Dunnell.”

In addition to receiving the IIDA New England Distinguished Merit Award for outstanding contributions to IIDA by an IIDA professional member, Dunnell’s project awards include the CoreNet Global New England Award of Excellence for Best New Workplace, the IFMA Boston Award of Excellence and the IES Illumination Award.